Beniel Seka
The issue of science and technology has been talked about
for a long time. Many people in Tanzania recognise the need of developing
science and technology to be abreast with the world global changes and advancement.
Several people have suggested that it should be given priority. That is perhaps
why the Commission for Science and Technology was established.
On 2nd August, 2012, the Prime Minister of the
United Republic of Tanzania Honourable Mizengo Kayanza Pinda launched a Science
book called Lighting Fire. This book, which is authored by 31 academicians, is
an effort towards motivating science in schools and colleges. When launching
the book, the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of science and popularising
it among scholars. He also pleaded for other writers to write books that will
help our children get proper knowledge about mankind and the surrounding.
Another effort to promote the learning of science in schools
is the Science Education for Secondary Schools (SESS) Project. This project has
been concerned with inculcating scientific skills to pupils in selected
secondary schools. The science teachers in the project have been exposed to
methods intended to instil basic science concepts backed by experiments. These
teachers have been expected to pass their experience to the pupils they have
been teaching.
Some topics have been integrated in the current school
science curriculum. One such topic is trachoma. This has been implemented
through a project piloted in several districts of Tanzania Mainland. Some of
the districts are: Iramba, Kondoa, Igunga, Manyoni, Singida Rural, Tunduru,
Nachingwea, Mtwara Rural, Lindi Rural, and Handeni, Tandahimba, Newala,
Monduli, Kiteto, Simanjiro, Dodoma Rural, Kilosa, Kilwa and Ruangwa. The
project which started in 2003 and coordinated by Tanzania Institute of
Education (TIE) in collaboration with Hellen Keller International (HKI) has
been scaled up due to the achievements shown in the pilot districts.
On 10th May, 2012 Mr Bgoya who owns Mkuki na
Nyota Publishers, launched a book called ‘Enjoy
Chemistry’ which is also available in
Kiswahili with the title ‘Furahia Kemia’
. He said at the launching ceremony that the books were intended to motivate
pupils to learn science. “Pupils are facing difficulties in learning science
lessons presented in English because they are poor in the language.
Availability of the Kiswahili version will reduce the problem,” he explained.
Several stakeholders including Hakielimu attended the ceremony.
The Ministry of Education and Vocational Training MOEVT) has
for the past few years organised seminars on science laboratory works. These
seminars have been conducted to equip teachers with requisite knowledge so that
they can help their pupils to conduct scientific investigation based on
experiments. Experimental activities faced a decline when the National
Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) stopped conducting practical
examinations and offered Alternate to Practical examinations instead. Some
efforts have been created lately to reclaim practical activities in schools.
However, not all schools have science laboratories. MOEVT
has stipulated that no school should be registered if it has not built a
laboratory. This order has gone unabated and pupils have suffered because they
have been unable to conduct the experiments proposed in the science syllabuses.
Schools which have established laboratories have made a significant
contribution towards promoting the learning and teaching of science in the
country.
An attempt to change science curriculum was made in the
early nineties when the Ministry of Education introduced Unified Science as an
independent subject in secondary school. This faced a strong opposition from
the public and the National Assembly. Eventually it was withdrawn. An almost
similar attempt was made in 2005, during a curriculum review which intended to
remove subject biases in secondary school. The move combined Physics and Chemistry
to form a new subject called Physics with
Chemistry in Forms One and Two. The change was not implemented because it
faced a stiff opposition and MOEVT had to retain the two science subjects.
A bitter encounter experienced in the last decade is the
death of the International Science and Technology project envisaged to be built
in Arusha city. This project which was initiated by the late Professor Leonard
Shayo was to attract young scientists who would be helped to develop their
scientific endeavours by providing them with their desired requirements. The project
failed to take off despite the preparations made before Professor Leonard Shayo
joined politics. Maybe some of his collaborators will wish to make a follow-up
to find out what transpired.
Efforts made by individuals who write feature articles and
stories on science should be supported. Science literature is lacking in
Tanzania. Science fiction, starting at primary school level should be
encouraged. It is said that the Children’s Book Project (CBP) has begun
scrutinizing manuscripts that will be developed as science fiction. It is a
commendable effort. We hope it bares fruits. The Government has promised to construct
more science laboratories in schools. We have started the race and we have to
complete it.
End
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